Gene Haas is known to do bold things in racing. He started his own Cup team more than a decade ago. In 2008, he gave half that team to Tony Stewart in order to attract personnel and sponsorship. He hired Kurt Busch without much consultation with Stewart.

But he might be up to his biggest racing move yet: Formula 1 team owner.

According to the German website auto motor und sport, Haas has applied to own a Formula 1 team that would begin competing in 2015 and be based in North Carolina. Three teams have applied and a decision on whether any get approved could come as early as next month, according to the report.

Haas confirmed his interest in Formula One Thursday.

“We have responded to the FIA’s ‘call for expression of interest’ regarding a Formula One entry on behalf of Haas Racing Development," Haas said in a statement released by his team. "We respect the FIA’s evaluation process and will share more details in the coming weeks.”

Haas owns CNC machine manufacturer Haas Automation and the Windshear wind tunnel in North Carolina. His Cup team currently fields cars for Stewart, Danica Patrick, Kevin Harvick and Busch. The Pacific Coast Business Times estimates his net worth at $740 million in 2011.

According to the report, the Formula 1 cars initially would be built by Dallara with Ferrari doing transmissions.

In December, Formula 1’s governing body announced that it would accept applications through Jan. 3 for new teams that would begin in either the 2015 or 2016 season.